Abebe Genetu Bayih, PhD University of Gondar In vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of novel harmine-analog heat shock protein 90 inhibitors: a possible partner for artemisinin. Abebe Genetu Bayih, PhD University of Gondar
Introduction Malaria In 2015: 3.2 billion people at risk Source: WHO Malaria In 2015: 3.2 billion people at risk 214 million cases 438,000 deaths 90% in sub-Saharan Africa Children most affected (WHO 2015 report) Significant reduction in mortality and morbidity Emergence of ART resistance – a challenge! Catastrophe if reaches Africa! NEW DRUGS NEEDED!
Heat shock proteins (Hsp): Introduction… Heat shock proteins (Hsp): Molecular chaperone Function – protein folding, intracellular trafficking, gene expression, cell cycle, and cell differentiation. Conserved – from bacterial to mammals Constitutive and induced Temperature, nutrition, heavy metal exposure antimalarial and anti-cancer drug target Hsp90 Structure (Bracher and Hartl, 2006)
Introduction… PfHsp90 inhibitors: Hypothesis: Natural compounds (Geldanamycin and derivatives) (Kumar et al, 2003; Banumathy et al, 2003) Harmine (Shahinas et al, 2010, 2012) Beta-carboline alkaloid Preferentially binds to the ATP-binding domain of PfHsp90 Inhibits P. falciparum in vitro Antimalarial effect in vivo in mice Hypothesis: Structural modification of harmine improves efficacy. Harmine
METHOD 45 novel harmine analogs screened for PfHsp90 binding Two (17A and 21A) bind to PfHsp90 Cytotoxicity assay (HepG2 and HeLa) In vitro antimalarial assay (P. falciparum) Fixed dose in vivo antimalarial assay (P. berghei ANKA in BALB/c mice) 21A - in vivo dose-ranging expt. 21A and DHA in vivo combination expt.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 1. Competitive binding assay bis-ANS assay: Mean EC50 ± SEM (µM) : 17A = 12.2 ± 2.3 ; 21A = 23.1 ± 8.8; Radicicol = 5.46 ± 2.42 2. In vitro antimalarial activity 72h in vitro susceptibility assay HRP-II ELISA Mean IC50 ± SEM (µM) : PF-W2: 17A = 4.2 ± 1.3 21A = 5.7 ± 1.7 CQ = 0.15 ± 0.04 PF-3D7: 21A = 13.5 ± 0.8 PF-MRA 1236: 21A = 9.2 ± 0.4 PF-MRA 1240: 21A = 9.6 ± 2.0
3. In vivo antimalarial activity Fixed-dose harmine-derivatives against P. berghei in BALB/c mice (100mg/kg) I. Parasitemia: At day-7 post-infection: Percent inhibition: 17A = 51.5% 21A = 56.1% 17A and 21A significantly lower parasitemia than vehicle ctrl. (p<0.05).
II. Survival Drug treated mice showed better survival than the vehicle group (DMSO). The Median Survival time: 17A = 11, 21A = 14d, DMSO = 8.5d. 21A resulted higher survival than 17A Significant difference b/n 21A and DMSO (Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test, p=0.0177)
B. Dose-ranging experiment 21A Parasitemia: Percent parasitemia inhibition 100 mg/kg 75 50 25 D6 48.1 37.5 27.2 18.4 D7 45.9 33.4 18.9 At D6, treatment with 100mg/kg, 75mg/kg and 50mg/kg significantly reduced parasitemia. The Median Survival time: 100mg/kg = 11.5d, 75mg/kg = 10d, 50mg/kg = 10d, 25mg/kg = 8d, DMSO = 8d.
C. 21A-DHA combination experiment 21A (100mg/kg) showed additive effect with DHA (10mg/kg) Parasite clearance: One day after two doses of drug: 21A = 0/5 (0%) DHA = 2/5 (40%) 21A plus DHA = 5/5 (100%) One day after three doses of drug: DHA = 3/5 (60%) A combination of 21A and DHA improved survival rate.
4. Cytotoxicity CCK-8 (Sigma): Based on water soluble WST-8 Live/dead cell Mean IC50 ± SEM (mM) : HepG2: 17A = 0.31 ± 0.023 21A = 0.093 ± 0.002 Geldanamycin = 0.00038 ± 8.98E-05 Chloroquine = 0.24 ± 0.024 HeLa: 17A = 0.738 ± 0.14 21A = 0.436 ± 0.089 17A and 21A NOT toxic to HepG2 and HeLa cells.
SUMMARY Out of 45 harmine analogs tested, 17A and 21A: Bind to ATP-binding domain of PfHsp90 effectively. Inhibit P. falciparum in vitro in micromolar concentration Significantly reduce parasitemia in vivo Prolong survival of infected mice (not seen in parent molecule, Harmine) 21A showed a dose-dependent antimalarial effect. 21A showed additive effect with DHA Not toxic in HepG2 and HeLa cells in vitro 21A could be a potential standalone or a partner antimalarial drug.
Acknowledgement: Asongna Folefoc, PhD, University of Calgary, Canada Abu Naser Mohon, MSc, University of Calgary, Canada Scott Eagon, PhD, San Francisco State University, USA Marc Anderson, PhD, San Francisco State University, USA Dylan R. Pillai, MD, PhD, University of Calgary, Canada Funding: Grandchallenges Canada to DRP
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